5 Things Your Lawn is Trying to Tell You

No matter where you live or what kind of home you own, a lush green lawn will improve your curb appeal and make your property the envy of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, keeping your lawn lush, green and beautiful all season long is easier said than done.

Your grass suffers from all kinds of stresses, from the relentless rays of the summer sun to the cold nights of autumn. If you want to keep your lawn looking great, you need to speak the language of the grass. Here are five important things your lawn may be trying to tell you.

I Need More Water

Healthy grass does not crunch when you walk on it. If you can see your footprints when you walk across your lawn, Mother Nature is not providing enough moisture. If your lawn is too dry, it will tell you so, and in no uncertain terms. All you need to do is listen.

Grass that is crunchy or hard is a classic sign of under-watering, as are yellow and brown spots. If the rains have not yet come this year, it may be time to get out the garden hose or turn on the sprinklers and provide a little rain of your own.

Your Mower Blades Need Sharpening

You should be sharpening the blades on your lawn mower at least once a year, preferably before the spring mowing season begins. If you let your blades get too dull, they will shred the delicate blades of grass instead of cutting them cleanly.

The most obvious signs of a dull mower blade are brown spots that show up after mowing and grass that appears to be unevenly cut. If you notice any of these problems, your next stop should be the lawn mower service center.

I Am Not a Mushroom Farm

A dry lawn is bad, but a lawn that is too moist can be just as bad. The grass should spring back to life when you walk across it, not sink under your feet. If your lawn feels wet even after the morning dew has dried, chances are you are overwatering it.

If your lawn is severely overwatered or has been allowed to stay damp for too long, you may even see mushrooms start to sprout. Whether these lawn mushrooms are tiny or huge, you can bet they are not of the gourmet variety. You are trying to grow a lawn, not a mushroom farm, so do your grass a favor and cut back on the water.

I Have Bugs

You are not the only one who loves your lawn. Insects enjoy that lush rich grass as much as you do, and an infestation of grubs can be particularly problematic. Grubs are tiny and almost impossible to see at a glance, but they do leave telltale traces of their presence on your lawn.

You should suspect a grub problem if you see irregular brown spots or bare areas on your lawn. If you do have grubs, you can purchase commercial preparations to kill and control them.

I’m Hungry

If you want to keep your lawn healthy and green, you need to feed it right. A lawn that turns a sickly yellow is probably in need of extra nitrogen, something that only a quality lawn food can provide.

Check your lawn for yellow patches and other telltale signs that it’s starving. If you spot any of these problems, you need to head down to the nursery or garden center for some premium lawn food right away.

A healthy lawn does not happen by accident. If you want your lawn to stay looking great all season long, you need to take care of it right. From feeding the lawn properly to mowing it gently and providing just the right level of moisture, the things you do now will pay off in a lush green lawn later.